Sylvia Field Truex, Tv's `Mrs. Wilson,' 97

OBITUARIES

Sylvia Field Truex, versatile actress on stage, film and television who was best remembered as Mrs. Wilson on the early 1960s television series Dennis the Menace, has died. She was 97.

Mrs. Truex, the widow of actor and comedian Ernest Truex and known professionally as Sylvia Field, died on July 31 in a nursing home in Fallbrook, Calif., northeast of San Diego.

On the popular Dennis series starring Jay North as Hank Ketcham's cartoon imp Dennis, Mrs. Truex portrayed Martha Wilson from 1959 through 1962. Her garrulous husband, George, was played by Joseph Kearns, who died before the end of the 1962 season.

The better-known Gayle Gordon moved in as George's brother and Martha's house guest, John Wilson, to finish out the season. But the next fall, the show's final year, Martha Wilson disappeared in favor of George's own wife, Eloise Wilson, played by Sara Seegar.

Nevertheless, it was Mrs. Truex who was forever recognized in restaurants and shops as ``Mrs. Wilson,'' the kindly lady next door who always had a smile and a plate of warm cookies ready for little Dennis.

The actress also appeared in some 33 other television shows including episodes of Perry Mason, The Mickey Mouse Club, The Millionaire, Father Knows Best, Hazel and Harry O.

A native of Boston, Sylvia Field began her career at age 17 when she performed in a play called The Bluebird in New York. She amassed stage credits in more than 40 Broadway plays.

After she married Ernest Truex, the actress participated in a local television series featuring members of their family _ her introduction to the small screen.

The actress also appeared in several motion pictures, starting with one silent, The Exalted Flapper, and a new-fangled talkie, Voice of the City, both in 1929. Her final two movies were All Mine to Give in 1957 and Annette in 1958. Mrs. Truex is survived by three stepsons, Philip Truex of Carlsbad, Calif.; Barry Truex of Canyon Country, Calif.; and James Truex of Long Island, N.Y.; and three grandsons.